POLICE are urging pensioners to be on their guards after a bogus caller tried to steal from the home of a 101-year-old man.

Last Thursday, a man walked into the house in Ellam Avenue, Nevilles Cross, Durham, and told the pensioner, who had seen him walking up the path, he had come to work on his garden.

He then went into the kitchen and asked for the keys to the back door of the house.

The pensioner asked the man to identify himself, but he said nothing, and began searching drawers on the pretext of looking for keys.

Police said the caller then asked the pensioner if he could change a £10 note for two £5 notes.

The pensioner said he had no money, at which point the caller left the house empty-handed and, it is believed, drove off in a cream car.

Detective Sergeant Tony Dumighan, of Durham City CID, urged people to beware of bogus callers and said the 101-year-old had clearly been targeted by the would-be thief.

"Without hesitation, he walked into this pensioner's house, searched drawers on the pretext of looking for a key and, when he found nothing of value, he tried to get the man to reveal where his money was by asking him to change the £10 note."

The bogus caller was between 30 and 40, of medium build with a pale complexion and wore a dark blue business suit, white shirt and dark tie. Anyone with information can call police on 0845 606 0365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The Northern Echo launched its Doorstoppers campaign last year to highlight bogus callers.

People are urged to always ask for the identity of a caller and not to let anyone in if they are unsure who they are.